Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, has been included in the Prix Versailles list of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums for 2026, marking an international recognition of the architectural and cultural value represented by this landmark in the region and beyond.
The selection is an important step that further strengthens the museum’s position among leading cultural institutions worldwide. The list includes only seven institutions from different countries, with Zayed National Museum standing out as the only institution from the region to receive this recognition, thanks to its distinctive architectural design, sustainable solutions, and innovative approach to presenting history and heritage.
Prix Versailles is one of the prominent international awards in the fields of architecture and design. It is awarded annually at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and focuses on projects that combine architectural beauty, quality of design, and a meaningful connection with the environment and society.
Located at the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum was designed by Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, one of the world’s leading architects and a recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The museum extends across more than 56,000 square metres, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s most notable cultural landmarks.
The museum building is distinguished by five steel towers inspired by the wings of a falcon in flight, a symbolic reference to falconry, which is an important part of Emirati heritage. The tallest of these towers reaches 123 metres, making it the highest architectural feature in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The strength of the design is not limited to its visual appearance. The towers also include advanced environmental systems that function as thermal chimneys, helping to regulate airflow naturally. The stepped form of the building reflects the landscapes of the UAE and helps protect the structure from external heat, improving the museum’s environmental performance.
Surrounding the museum is an outdoor space known as Al Masar Garden, which features native plants and traditional irrigation systems inspired by aflaj. This setting reinforces the project’s connection to the UAE’s natural environment and cultural heritage.
The permanent galleries of Zayed National Museum will take visitors on a journey through more than 300,000 years of human presence on the land of the UAE, from the earliest archaeological evidence to the formation of the Union. The museum also celebrates the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, drawing inspiration from his vision and values in preserving national identity and passing it on to future generations.
Alongside Zayed National Museum, the 2026 list of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums includes the Science and Technology Museum in Shenzhen, China; the Xueli Fragrance Museum in Guangzhou, China; the Mo Takanawa Museum in Tokyo, Japan; the Lost Shtetl Museum in Šeduva, Lithuania; the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, United States; and the Centre of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Prix Versailles is expected to select three museums from among the seven institutions on the list for further distinction in the categories of the World Title, Interior Design, and Exterior Design.
The inclusion of Zayed National Museum on this global list confirms that the museum is a valuable addition to the cultural landscape, carrying a national and human message while presenting a thoughtful balance between Emirati authenticity and contemporary architectural innovation.
